Grammy-winning Vocal Coach Shares Secrets of the Stars

Kenny O'Brien and the National Honey Board share recipes and tips to soothe throats and ease cough symptoms

It's fall and many of our favorite singers are putting the finishing touches on their holiday albums and gearing up to begin touring. However, fall also marks the beginning of cold and flu season which can be detrimental to anyone who relies on their voice to make a living. According to the National Honey Board and Kenny O' Brien, one of the most sought-after music producers and vocal coaches in the industry, consumers can ease discomforting throats and cough symptoms very much the same way O'Brien's celebrity clientele does: with 100% pure honey and honey-based soothers.

"The best known voices in the world use honey to soothe their throat," says O'Brien, who has worked with singers like Christina Aguilera and Celine Dion. "If professional singers rely on honey as a line of first-defense to soothe their throats, the rest of us can feel comfortable following suit!"

Hailing from Venezuela, O'Brien came to the United States after his music career began as a composer in a quartet with his siblings under the name Los Hermanos O'Brien, who later became Las 4 Monedas. Today, O'Brien is a five-time Grammy award-winning producer, composer, vocal coach and vocal arranger, and has worked with some of the most talented musicians in the world including Marco Antonio Solis, Olga Ta??on, Beyonc?ģ, Alejandro Sanz, Andrea Bocelli, and Juan Gabriel to name a few. Additionally, he is no stranger to recommending 100% pure honey as a natural cough soother.

"I always keep a bottle of honey in my studio for any artist that comes to record. Their gift is their voice and they trust me not only to produce their music, but to ensure that their voices sound well and above all else are in the best condition, especially during the cold and flu season," says O'Brien.

For years, O'Brien has been a strong believer in the use of natural ingredients to soothe throats and calm mild cough symptoms. His usual soother includes a spoonful of honey with an equal amount of lemon juice to help ease sore and scratchy throats. This recipe, he says, has come in handy particularly during recording sessions. He also suggests that artists use honey regularly when they are on tour since 100% pure honey is also a natural energy booster.

Only 100% pure honey is unique in its properties and benefits, it contains no added ingredients, and can be used in a multitude of ways. For the cold-flu season, Kenny O'Brien shares his favorite celebrity cough soothing recipes that can easily be prepared at home: